Crabtree Falls
By Armen Suny · Last verified Oct 2026
LiDAR & 3D terrainNo public access
Crabtree Falls isn't open to the public. There's no public trail or parking, so please don't trespass or park at neighboring properties. See public waterfalls nearby.
This Crabtree Falls is on private property and is not accessible to the public. The Blue Ridge Parkway's Crabtree Falls at milepost 339.5 is a different waterfall.
Photo Credits (5)
About Crabtree Falls
Frequently Asked Questions
🐶 Are Dogs Allowed at Crabtree Falls?
❌ Dogs are not allowed
Are There Any Fees or Permits Required?
🆖 No fees required
🏊 Is There Swimming at Crabtree Falls?
❌ Swimming is not allowed
When to Visit
Seasonal Access
The best time to visit is Spring, Summer, and Fall. Winter access may be limited.
Safety Information
The trail can be slippery near the waterfall, especially after rain. Exercise caution on rocky sections and stay on marked paths. Winter conditions may make the trail icy and hazardous.
Current Water Conditions
These readings come from the USGS gauge on South Toe River, 3.2 miles away, not on Crabtree Falls's own stream. Use them as a sign of whether the area is running wet or dry.
74 ft³/s
Current discharge — how much water is flowing
About average for this time of year
Based on 69 years of record
0.84 ft
Water depth at gauge
7-Day Discharge Trend
What does this mean for your visit?
Flow is about average for this time of year.
About This Gauge
7-Day Flow Outlook
Based on the USGS gauge SOUTH TOE RIVER NEAR CELO, NC (5 km away).
Today
Barely Flowing
74 cfs
5/10Tomorrow
Low
78 cfs
4/10Fri
Low
79 cfs
4/10Sat
Low
75 cfs
6/10Sun
Barely Flowing
73 cfs
5/10Mon
Barely Flowing
72 cfs
5/10Tue
Barely Flowing
86 cfs
5/10Best window: Sat — low flow, mostly sunny (trip score 6/10).
Best time of year: this gauge typically runs highest from late February to early May, peaking in April.
How we calculate this
This is a transparent outlook, not a precise forecast. We take the waterfall's current flow strength (how it ranks against its historical normal for today, from the nearest USGS stream gauge), carry that ranking forward along the gauge's seasonal curve, and nudge it for forecast rain. Confidence is highest for the next day or two and falls further out. Always check official conditions and your own judgment before visiting — high flows can be dangerous.
Know when to go.
Get a free email alert when waterfalls near Spruce Pine hit peak flow. We only send when conditions are worth the trip — no weekly newsletters, no spam.
Is Crabtree Falls Frozen?
Updated about 4 hours agoNot frozen highs above freezing lately
Crabtree Falls is not frozen right now; highs have been above freezing. Yesterday ran 67°F to 38°F.
- Days below freezing
- 0 of the last 14
- Current cold streak
- 0 days
- Freezing days ahead
- 0 of the next 7
- Flow
- 74 ft³/s
Winter safety. Frozen falls are the one waterfall trip with a documented injury pattern: falling ice, and ice-glazed rock and trail. Wear microspikes, keep well back from the base and from overhangs, and never walk out on ice over moving water.
Estimate from Open-Meteo daily temperatures at the falls, the LiDAR-measured facing direction, and the nearest stream gauge. It is a likelihood, not a report from the trail.
Weather Forecast
The Terrain, Seen by LiDAR
Aircraft-mounted lasers measured this ground to within inches. Trees and buildings are digitally stripped away, leaving the bare shape of the land the water has carved.
The ground through the falls loses about 238 feet in steep steps rather than one leap. The ground at the falls is roughly 2,862 feet above sea level.
Steep ground runs through the entire stretch: about 63 feet of descent in the 500 feet above the pin and 157 feet in the 500 feet below it. Facing northwest, the falls glow in afternoon and evening light.
Drag to compare. The dot marks the waterfall. The frame is about a mile across.
- Ground elevation
- 2,862 feet
- Measured by 1-meter lidar
- Drop at the falls
- About 238 feet
- Change in ground height within ~250 feet of the falls
- Faces
- Northwest
- Glows in afternoon and evening light.
A slice through the lidar ground surface, from above the falls to downstream (heading northwest).
Elevation data: USGS 3D Elevation Program. Aerial imagery: USGS The National Map. Public domain.
Location & Access
Elevation
2,864 feet above sea level
Coordinates
35.856735° N, -82.136072° W
Where to Stay
PINE VALLEY MOTEL
Alpine Inn
Ruth's Place Tiny Home Retreat 1 mile to town
The Embers Hotel
Browse vacation cabins and private rentals nearby
Unique outdoor stays — tents, yurts, and treehouses
Rent a campervan or RV for your waterfall road trip
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Nearby Campground
CAROLINA HEMLOCKS REC AREA
5.3 miles away · 39 sites
Overview Carolina Hemlocks Recreation Area sits in the scenic mountains of Pisgah National Forest. This is a great place for small to medium-sized groups to swim, fish, tube, hike, camp, picnic and simply relax in the cool shade of the forest.Recreation The river provides endless hours of fun for families and water enthusiasts, including swimming and tubing. Anglers can also try their luck for trout and smallmouth bass from the shore. Picnickers will enjoy relaxing in the shaded picnic shelter se
Book on Recreation.govNearby Hot Springs
Hot springs near Swannanoa, North Carolina
Looking for a soak after your hike? Explore more hot springs near Swannanoa, North Carolina on SoakingSprings.
Explore North Carolina springsAdditional Information
Nearby Attractions
Crabtree Falls on the Blue Ridge Parkway, near milepost 339.5, has a public loop trail.
Wildlife
The area is home to a variety of wildlife, including birds, deer, and small mammals. Visitors may also see wildflowers and rhododendrons along the trail.
Cities near Crabtree Falls
Nearby Waterfalls
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Other waterfalls named Crabtree Falls
2 other waterfalls share this name across the U.S.
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